KEEP THE FAITH

Cross Rhythms April 2006 - review by Anthony Longville - 9/10

One of the UK’s musical treasures is Bryn Haworth. This CD is all about the blues with a touch of rock and roll. Trademark Bryn Haworth. A return to recording and to these ears a real return to form.  On the opening title track I defy your feet not to tap as Bryn motors along, singing apparently about his love for listening to the radio in the 50’s but with a subliminal message about listening to God. “I’m in Love With You” is a great piece of blues music, showing that Bryn is quite happy to sing songs about his wife as well as the “spiritual” songs. Great blues guitar work. “Wash Me Clean”, a Maggi Dawn song, moves gently along before providing a beautiful showcase for Bryn’s excellence on the slide guitar—so much his forte. “Psalm 40” get the blues treatment. And there’s beautiful worship too on “Wings Of The Wind”. At first I think “Satisfied” is another love song—well it is—but it’s about Jesus’ love for the church. Each track is a gem in its own way.  Bryn is one of those people often described as a musician’s musician. The playing, backed by his usual band, is impeccable. Haworth proves again that the blues doesn’t have to be sad. Play it loud!

 

NetRhythms February 2006 - review by David Kidman

Good to hear that Bryn's still going strong, for here he's produced a satisfying new CD whose very title is both a mission statement and a credo for all those of us of like mind. It's a classy, tasty and yet fairly laid-back set consisting almost exclusively of new material by Bryn, mixing gently driving rockers with more reflective statements of Bryn's amiable and largely positive philosophy of life. Positive, yet devoid of the preaching or self-righteousness that might afflict any songwriter who maintains such a faith.

Bryn's voice, guitar and mandolin are backed by a stalwart crew of highly dependable sessioners including Henry Spinetti, Steve Gregory, Dave Bronze and Martin Neil. There's a pleasant Latin-inflected instrumental track (Salema) midway through the album. My favourite tracks? Probably the soft-ramblin', country-tinged Wash Me Clean (a Maggi Dawn composition) and Satisfied, the soulful R&B-style workout I'm In Love With You (great horn arrangement), and Psalm 40 (a neat slice of anthemic rock-gospel).

But in truth, it's one of those unpretentious, well-produced and fairly timeless-sounding CDs which appeals at once, stays right with you and never offends or jars - yet there's not much else I can (or need) say about it except that it just makes you feel good all the time it's in the player. Sometimes a short review can say as much as a longer one or more in-depth analysis, and I reckon this is one of those times ...

 

Review by Graeme Whyte of Glasgow

 “It's been a long time coming but it's been worth the wait. Bryn's new album Keep the Faith picks up where Slide Don't Fret left off. It's vintage Bryn and there is much you would expect from a Bryn Haworth album; worship songs such as 'Wings of the Wind', the reflective 'Satisfied', the funky 'One Good Woman' and of course an ample number of his trademark blues numbers such as the wonderful down home blues title 'I'm in love with You'. But there is more and greater variety here with a kind of 30's jazzy 'Everybody Wants to Go to Heaven', a remarkable gospel influenced 'Wash Me Clean' (which really gets the hairs standing on the back of your neck) and the beautiful acoustic instrumental 'Salema'. The musicianship as ever is faultless from all the band (with some amazing guitar playing from Bryn) and the production excellent. It is good to see that Bryn is still keeping the faith and producing excellent albums. This album is a journey well worth taking and as he says in the song 'Simple Pleasures', "it don't get much better than this." 

 

THE GAP

This classic masterpiece of gospel rhythm and blues, is now digitally remastered and available on CD. The album was jointly produced by Bryn and Dave Markee in 1980, and also featured Henry Spinetti on drums, (Dave & Henry formed the rhythm section for Eric Clapton at that time). Music Week Magazine‘s reviewer wrote..‘this new album, with touches of folk and blues amid the tuneful rock – really deserves consideration. Lyrics carry a strong Christian message, but there’s nothing Sally Army about the music‘. Bryn deserves even wider recognition as probably the finest bottleneck guitarist this country has ever produced. Hopefully this superb album will give it to him.

 

Cross Rhythms June 1995 - review by Tony Cummings - 10/10

There can be few CCM artists, British or American, who could have three albums reissued ('The Gap' from 1980, 'Pass It On' and 'Wings Of The Morning' from 1983) and have them popping up as bright and immediate as his new stuff. For Bryn's music, locked as it is into an urban blues groove, is utterly timeless. In case you weren't around when Rob Andrews' pioneering Chapel Lane company released these masterpieces, 'The Gap' was the album which set the agenda for all that was to follow, a sassy, romping, stomping set full of searing guitar, lazily understated vocals and simple lyrics full of wit and charm exhorting us to get to God. Eric Clapton's old rhythm section give just the right drive.

 

WATER FROM THE ROCK

Country Music Roundup January 2003

…... These stunning performances bounce along with high motivation. Bryn’s optimistic Scripture based faith songs build and build and then he seems to stick another huge extension on the top!  Commanding, moving and invigorating stuff, this brother has a vocal and instrumental and songwriting talent that is outstanding and this album shows what he can do.

 

Christian Herald  January 25 2003

Bryn’s 20 years in gospel music followed a secular career in the 70’s and he brings from it an easy going blend of blues/rock, country and folk… of the vintage tracks, the pared-down simplicity of Lord I Love Your Word has an infectious sing-along appeal, whilst Slipping And Falling is more folky in flavour, reminiscent of Gallagher and Lyle. Word Of Our God has hints of Latin American influences, Bryn’s artistry with Dobro guitar surfaces on All Things Work Together … but my favourites have to be country rock number The Glory Zone and acoustic epilogue When This Passing World Is Done. 

 

Cross Rhythms July 2003 - review by Trevor Kirk - 9/10

“...Bryn is the master of any musical style he turns his hand to...”

“...13 excellent songs, and a very good place to start for people who don’t have anything by Bryn in their CD rack.”

“...the measure of the quality of these songs is their enduring freshness and ability to grab the external aural orifices and demand to be listened to.”

 

SLIDE DON’T FRET

Renewal Magazine March 1996

Slide Don’t Fret by Bryn Haworth is the best Christian contemporary CD I’ve heard in a long while. If you hadn’t guessed, slide guitar is the order of the day, and Bryn’s playing is second-to-none. In fact all the musicians are brilliant.  The simplicity and relaxed atmosphere of the album is testimony to the skills of all involved in the performance and production. They make it sound so easy.

 

New Christian Herald February 1996

What a delight superbly played blues and slide guitar is. And the delight is multiplied when the music comes from the excellent Bryn Haworth, wrapped in songs of strength and encouragement. The Christian music scene rarely appreciates the craftsmanship of this man’s playing, and to these ears his expressiveness speaks as eloquently of his love for the Creator as his lyrics. Slide Don’t Fret mixes tempo and style, from the mean and moody “Judgement Blues” to the dance-friendly “Cajun Song”, but it’s really a treat from start to finish.  

 

Cross Rhythms December 1995 - reviewed by Tony Cummings - 10/10

Who'd have thought you could write your Christian testimony in song beginning with the words “Left my home in Lancashire” and put it to a rollicking cajun groove that reeks with the flavour of chicken gumbo rather than Lancashire hotpot? But this then is Bryn Haworth, veteran bluesman of this parish who with this delicious set turns in possibly his finest album yet. Catch “Judgment Blues”, an eight minute plus while searing guitar soars over a languid sax cushion, as spine tinglingly moving as anything T-Bone Walker ever concocted, or the romping, tongue-in-cheek opener where the likes of Blind Willie Johnson and Fred McDowell are name checked alongside Ry Cooder and Lowell George. Concentrating on Bryn’s slide talents was an inspired concept while that rock solid band have such an infectious, laid back swing that only the most devoted technohead won’t be drawn into this timeless celebration of good tunes and old truths.

Bryn Haworth Music